What does anthemis mean?
Anthemis is a genus of aromatic, daisy-like flowering plants in the aster family (Asteraceae). Its members, often called chamomiles or mayweeds, bear white ray florets around yellow disc florets and are found across Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. The best-known species include corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) and stinking chamomile or dog fennel (Anthemis cotula), while Roman chamomile, long valued for its fragrant foliage and use in herbal infusions, has been transferred to the related genus Chamaemelum. The name derives from Greek anthemon, meaning 'flower', the same root behind 'anthology' and 'chrysanthemum'. Used chiefly in botany, horticulture, and gardening literature, Anthemis appears in field guides, seed catalogues, and taxonomic discussions, where precision about generic boundaries matters. For general readers, encountering the word usually signals a reference to one of these cheerful wildflowers rather than to any everyday object or concept.
nounA genus of aromatic flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), including species commonly known as chamomiles, such as corn chamomile and Roman chamomile.
- A genus of aromatic herbaceous plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), comprising the chamomiles and mayweeds.
"The meadow was bright with the white-and-gold flowerheads of Anthemis cotula."
"Botanists reclassified several species from Anthemis into the genus Cota after detailed molecular studies."
"She pressed a sprig of corn chamomile, an Anthemis, between the pages of her field notebook."
As a scientific genus name, Anthemis is usually treated as singular and unchanging; when multiple genera or instances are referred to informally, the anglicized plural 'anthemises' may be used.
"The garden contained two distinct anthemises, each with a different scent."
The word 'anthemis' comes from the Greek for 'flower' — the same root that gives us 'anthology', literally a 'collection of flowers'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anthemis
The name Anthemis comes from ancient Greek anthemon, meaning 'flower' or 'blossom', which itself derives from the root anthos ('flower'). The same Greek root produced a family of English borrowings, including 'anthology' (a gathering of flowers, later applied to collections of poems) and 'chrysanthemum' (the 'golden flower'). The genus was established in botanical nomenclature during the early development of modern plant classification in the eighteenth century, when European naturalists Latinized Greek names for groups of related species.
How anthemis is actually used
Anthemis is used almost exclusively in botanical, horticultural, and scientific contexts rather than everyday conversation. In formal taxonomy it functions as a scientific Latinized name and is typically capitalized (Anthemis), unlike common English nouns. Gardeners more often use its common names, such as chamomile or mayweed.
Easily confused with anthemis
Anathema is a noun meaning something vehemently disliked or formally cursed, whereas Anthemis is a botanical genus of daisy-like flowering plants.
Chamaemelum is a closely related but separate genus of chamomile plants; many species once placed in Anthemis have been moved to it.